Method of running-in internal-combustion engines



Jan. 10, 1950 P. MONGITORE 2,494,102

METHOD OF RUNNING- IN INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed May 29, 1947 In van 7 P P/f/v Many/fare A fa rne Patented Jan. 10, 1950 METHOD OF RUNNING-IN INTERNAL- COMBUSTION ENGINES Pietro Mongitore, Turin, Italy, assignor to Flat S. p. A., Turin, Italy Application May 29, 1947, Serial No. 751,490 In Italy February 23, 1944 4 Claims. (01. 29-89.5)

Running-in internal combustion engines in either new, overhauled or repaired condition is normally carried out by operating them under conditions conforming with those of their normal working cycle.

The running-in process is complete when the engine may thereafter be utilized at will, or it is incomplete if the use is possible only with special precautions.

Running-in of internal combustion or Diesel engines is normally carried out by operating them by their own means, that is by feeding them with suitable fuel or its substitute. In any case, the running-in process necessarily implies the use of fuel, oil or substitute thereof, and of a certain quantity of lubricating oil, which are burnt or consumed within the engine.

In order to reduce the consumption of fuel it has heretofore been proposed to efiect an initial and partial running-in by driving the internal combustion engine by means of a prime mover coupled therewith, but this type of process has proved insuificient owing to the fact the running-in conditions are completely different from those under which the engine actually operates.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved and quick method of running-in internal combustion engines by means of a prime mover coupled therewith in order to economize fuel or its substitute and lubricating oil and also to simplify all the operations connected with the running-in process, said process being effected on the engine as manufactured and assembled.

Another object of this invention is to establish during a running-in process, the conditions of pressure and temperature within the engine corresponding to those of its normal working cycle, said conditions being essential for the efficiency of the process itself.

A further object of this invention is to provide external means for varying the inner pressure and temperature conditions, in such manner as to obtain the pressure and temperature corresponding to those of normal operation of every kind of internal combustion engines.

By the process according to this invention it is possible to effect a quick running-in of internal combustion engines either completely or up to any desired degree without any modification of the engine already fully assembled, and without any fuel consumption.

The foregoing important objects and advantages will become apparent and more fully understood from the following description which drawings, discloses two embodiments of this invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention. According to the invention, the internal combustion engine I is driven by a prime mover 2 coupled therewith, such as an electric motor. The outlet manifold 3 of engine i is connected to the inlet manifold 4 by means of an external pipe 5 to permit the circulation of an inert gaseous fluid, such as air, in a closed cycle in the circuit so established.

The fluid is admitted into pipe 5 at any point, such as at 6, and is subjected within the engine to a series of thermodynamic cycles which increases the temperature of the fluid and produce corresponding variations in inner pressure.

It is clear that the normal atmospheric pressure of the circulating fluid is not sufficient for the complete running-in process. Therefore, fresh fluid is introduced at 6 in order to maintain the required average inner pressure within the fluid circuit and compensate any possible leakage.

When it is desired to vary the temperature of the inert gaseous fluid circulating within the engine in order to establish the most suitable temperature conditions, according to this invention the pipe 5 comprises means for producing the required changes of temperature.

Said means, which are generally shown as 1 in Fig. 2 may include any known device to those skilled in the art for heating or cooling the inert gaseous fluid flowing through the pipe, such as electric resistances or serpentines in which any heating or cooling means circulate.

The quickest running-in process consists in supplying an inert gaseous fluid at low pressure to the pipe 5 and bringing in a short time the engine to be run up towards its maximum speed by means of a prime mover 2, or toward speeds within the range corresponding to a maximum load and maximum number of turns. The pressure is then gradually raised up to the pre-determined value admitted by the strength of its various parts and nature of the sliding surfaces. During running-in the internal combustion engine tends to heat up as a normally working engine, hence the engine should be cooled by its water-jacket in order to keep the temperature within the limits reached in normal working conditions. In certain cases and, preferably, in

taken in conjunction with the accompanying the final test, the driving speed exceeds the highest working speed for which the engine being run-in is designed, this being made possible by the pressure set up within the cylinders by my improved method, which neutralizes the high inertia of the working pistons. In any case, the engine is maintained under conditions of speed, pressureand temperature such-as .to efiect afull or partial running-in or the engine. according to requirements.

What I claim is:

1. The method of running-inqinternal .combustion engines which consists of driving themternal combustion engine, connecting the'inlet manifold of said engine witlrlthe-exhaustmanifold to permit the circulation of an inert gaseous fluid in a closed cycle in theacircuittsoestablished.

2. The method of running-in internal combustion engines which consists of drivingsthe internal combustion engine, connecting the inlet manifoldof said engine with the-:exhaust manifold to permit the circulation of an inert gaseous fluid in a closed cyclein thetcircuitgsoir established and varying the temperature;ofsaid-inert gaseous fluid as it flows through said circuit.

3. The method of running-in internal combustion engines which consists of driving, the in- ;;t ernal combustion engine, connecting the inlet manifold of said, engine with the exhaust manix'fcld togpermit the circulation of an inert gaseous 'fluidin a closed cycle in the circuit so estab- ;,liishe dxvarxing the-temperature of said inert gaseous fiuid as it flows through said circuit, and introducing new quantities of said inert gaseous .ifluidginto; said circuit to control pressure conditions therein.

PIETRO MONGITORE.

REFERENCES EITED The following referencesareof record in the file'of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Staley Apr; 17, 1923 Number 

